Daijiworld Media Network – Geneva
Geneva, Jul 10: Cancer continues to exact a devastating physical, emotional and financial toll worldwide, with more than 20.6 million new cases and nearly 10 million deaths recorded annually, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, released on Thursday.
The report, prepared jointly with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), warned that annual cancer cases could rise to nearly 35 million by 2050 unless urgent measures are taken to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and patient care.
According to WHO, cancer claims more than 26,000 lives every day and remains the second leading cause of death globally, after cardiovascular diseases.
The report highlighted significant disparities in cancer care across countries. While 87% of women diagnosed with breast cancer survive for at least five years in high-income countries, the survival rate falls to around 42% in low-income nations. It also noted that fewer than one in three countries currently include cancer care in their universal health coverage programmes.
WHO's first global survey of people affected by cancer found that at least 45% experience financial hardship, more than half suffer mental health challenges, and nearly all caregivers face emotional strain, unpaid caregiving responsibilities and social isolation.
Asia accounted for the largest share of the global cancer burden in 2024, recording 50.7% of all new cancer cases and 56.5% of cancer deaths. Europe contributed 21% of global cases and 20% of deaths, despite representing only about 9% of the world's population.
Lung cancer remained the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Among men, lung, prostate and colorectal cancers were the most common, while breast, lung and colorectal cancers accounted for a major share of cases among women.
The report estimated that nearly four in ten cancer cases are linked to preventable risk factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity, lack of physical activity, and infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and Helicobacter pylori.
WHO said tobacco use has declined by 27% since 2010, helping reduce lung cancer cases in several regions. The number of countries with national cancer control plans has increased from 50% in 2010 to 82%.
The report also noted improvements in vaccination programmes, sanitation and infection control, contributing to a decline in infection-related cancers. Clinical trials for cancer treatments have grown at an annual rate of 7.3% between 2005 and 2021.
However, access to essential medicines remains highly unequal. Availability of the 20 priority cancer medicines ranges from just 9% to 54% in low- and lower-middle-income countries, compared with 68% to 94% in high-income nations.
The WHO urged governments to adopt a people-centred approach to cancer control by integrating cancer services into universal health coverage, strengthening social protection for patients and caregivers, and ensuring equitable access to research, innovation and treatment.
The report outlined three key priorities—building stronger healthcare capabilities, improving protections for patients through inclusive policies, and delivering better value by aligning research and innovation with public health needs.
"The choices made today will shape the cancer burden for future generations," WHO said, stressing that sustained investment and equitable access to quality care are essential to reducing cancer deaths worldwide.